Entries tagged with dwarf

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DWARFS OF THE NORSE

The modern ideas of Norse dwarfs come the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. (Note 1) In his stories, dwarfs were stubborn smiths, who lived underground. They often went to war, wielding battle axes. Besides Norse lore, Tolkien said he based his dwarfs on Jewish writings.

The actual Norse dwarfs were more diverse than what Tolkien depicted. According to Snorri, the dwarfs were originally maggots that came from the corpse of Ymir, the slain giant. The Sons of Bor Burison – Odin, Vili, and Ve transformed these worms into dwarfs. Afterwards, They assigned four of the dwarfs to hold up the sky – Nordri, Sudri, Austri, and Vestri. (Note 2)

In the lore, dwarfs were short, dark, with beards. (The lore alludes to female dwarfs although they are not often named.) They were craftsmen, sages, and miners. Some could shapeshift, while others wielded magic.

Norse lore places dwarfs in the dark underground areas such as caves and in mountains. One place that is named is Svartalheim, where they lived with the “Black Elves.” Some scholars debate over whether the two are the same beings. The main differences between them are that dwarfs are short while elves are dark. Some lore refers to where the dwarfs live as Nidavellir, which lies in Svartalheim.

The dwarfs had similar relations to the Gods as the giants. They did give gifts to the Gods but did not receive any from the Gods. Dainn and Nabbi created Hildisvini, the Gold-bristled boar of Freya, while Eitri created Gullinbursti for her brother Freyr. Thor’s Hammer, Mjollnir, was also made by Eitri. At Odin’s command, the dwarfs made Gleipnir to bind Fenrir, the Wolf.

Since they practiced magic, dwarfs could command luck. For example, Odin learned a charm from Thjodrarir for clear thinking. Meanwhile, Andvari tried to escape Loki by turning into a pike. After Loki stole his ring, Andvari cursed the ring to bring death and discord to anyone who possessed it. Thus, Hreidmar was killed by his sons, Regin and Fafnir, and then these brothers fought among themselves. Afterwards, Sigurd killed them both, recovered the ring, suffered and died.

Notes:

Note 1. Tolkien changed the plural of dwarfs to “dwarves.”

Note 2. North, South, East, and West respectively.

Works Used:

Daimler, Morgan, “A New Dictionary of Fairies: A 21st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies.” Moon Books: Winchester (UK). 2020.

Davidson, H.R. Ellis, “Gods and Myths of Northern Europe.” Penguin: New York, 1964.

Lindow, John, “Norse Mythology.” Oxford University Press: NY. 2001.

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Dwarfs of Ireland: Leprechauns

The modern depiction of a leprechaun is not supported in the lore. The dwarf dressed in green clothing with red hair and beard is a 19th Century caricature of the Irish. Unfortunately, it came to be fixed in modern people’s minds as to what a leprechaun is. The “Lucky Charms’ Leprechaun” now seems to be the image that people recall.

According to William Butler Yeats, leprechauns were dwarfs, who kept themselves apart from the other fairies. Other folklorists debated whether they were either defective children of fairies or degenerate fairies. In the lore, they were usually thought of as solitary fairies.

One Celtic myth says that “leprechaun” is a corruption of the Gaelic for “small body.” It connotates the memory of Lugh Lamhfada, the God of Arts and Crafts, who faded with the Christianizing of Europe. Accordingly, “leprechaun” is a corruption of “Lugh-chromain,” which means “little stooping Lugh of the Sidhe.” Lugh, the God, is now remembered as a fairy craftsman.

Thought to be shoemakers, leprechauns are quick-witted and intelligent. Yeats said that the leprechaun guarded caches of buried treasures. (Note 1) They are known to bestow luck and treasure if you can catch one. To do so, you have to keep your eyes on them at all times. Otherwise, they will cause mischief to you and your family.

Other kinds of leprechauns are the clurichaun and fear dearg. The clurichaun is known for drinking and relaxing with a clay pipe. If the family welcomes one in their home, the clurichaun will protect their food stories and wine. Otherwise, the clurichaun will spoil the food until the family makes offerings to them. In addition, they will ride the family sheep into exhaustion.

Meanwhile, the fear dearg (which means “Red Man”) is depicted in all red clothing. Since the fear dearg are the bringers of bad luck, people will avoid them. Yeats believed that the fear dearg did gruesome pranks to unsuspecting people such as bringing them nightmares. Moreover, they can often be seen carrying a burlap sack to abduct people with.

Notes:

Note 1. A rainbow would indicate where these caches were.

Works Used:

Daimler, Morgan, “A New Dictionary of Fairies: A 21st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies.” Moon Books: Winchester (UK). 2020.

Ellis, Peter Berresford, “The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends.” Constable & Robinson Ltd: London. 2002.

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BES, DWARF GOD OF EGYPT

Dwarf Gods were present in the daily life of Egyptians, even though They did not have official temple cults. Statues of dwarf Deities such as Aha, Hity (Haty), and Bes were often found in groups strangling snakes, waving knives, or playing musical instruments. Aha (Fighter) attacked demons, chaos serpents, and foreign sorcerers. Meanwhile, Hity drove away evil by stomping and dancing, banging on drums, and shaking tambourines. These dwarf Gods occupied the liminal space between the Gods and harmful entities.

The most notable of these Gods was Bes (Note 1), the Defender of Households. Depicted as a dwarf with large ears and a beard, Bes had short legs with a large head. Moreover, He had large eyes, a protruding tongue, and a lion’s tail. Unlike other representations of Egyptian Gods, Bes is depicted facing forward, so that He could meet the threats head on.

Venerated in the home, Bes protected the family from intruders and snakes. Mothers sang the “Magical Lullaby” to their children, invoking Him for protection. To protect sleepers, images of Bes were carved on head rests and beds. Since He could keep evil spirits at bay, soldiers wore amulets of Him, and put his image on their weapons.

As a God of Fertility and Children, Bes gave sexual pleasure to women. To improve their sex lives and to become fertile, many women would decorate their bodies with tattoos of Him. His image was placed on the birth houses (mammisi) for the protection of mothers and newborns. These houses were also used as incubation (Bes) chambers for procreation and healing.

It is believed that Bes was the basis for the original depiction of the Christian Devil. The image of this Devil was black with a forked tail, with snakes surrounding Him. The leering expression and lion tail of Bes was incorporated into the Christians’ depiction. Although the Egyptians saw Bes as warding off evil spirits, the Christians of North Africa viewed Him as alien and disturbing.

Drawing by Eternal Space, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Notes:

Note 1. Beset was his female counterpart. In some accounts, Beset is the mother of Horus.

Works Used:

Pinch, Geraldine, “Egyptian Mythology.” Oxford University Press: New York. 2002.

Wilkinson, Richard, “The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt.” Thames and Hudson Ltd: London. 2003.